Mangalore : A joint operation by CCB police in Mangalore, Belthangady police, District Crime Investigation Bureau and Coastal Security Police on April 25, Thursday led to the busting of a major human trafficking racket in Belthangady. As many as 93 persons who were found in a lodge at Belthangady were rescued, while five persons were arrested.

AS per reports, the 93 persons who are Srilankan Tamil Refugees were likely to be taken to Australia via sea route and that the accused had even paid advance to a boat owner to purchase a boat. This is the second major human trafficking network unearthed in the district in the recent times.

Those arrested are Dorington (40), Nikson Darvin (38) of Tiruvallur, Tavarassa of Srilanka, Kannan (31) of Ramanathapuram and Karthikeyan (40) of Mandappuram.They had even paid an advance of Rs 2 lakhs to Chandranath of Udyavar towards purchase of a boat for Rs 18 lakhs. Police have also seized a cash of Rs 25,940, five mobile phones  and two IDs of Tamil refugees.

Of the rescued, 29 are men, 22 women, 18 boys and 19 girls.